This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The creator economy is a growing global industry that Goldman Sachs Research reports could be worth $480 billion by 2027. But what is a creator, and what is the difference between a creator and an influencer, a celebrity or everyone else who posts online?
The main differentiator between a creator and an influencer? Nearly 84% of U.S. adults surveyed define creators by their craft and their long-term dedication to it, which sets them apart from influencers, celebrities and everyday social media users. That was one of the key findings unveiled by Syracuse University's Center for the Creator Economy (CCE) during the second annual 'CUSE Creator Con, which brought together creators, industry executives and thinkers.
The two-day event featured a kickoff celebration Thursday, Oct. 22, and several sessions the following day that explored various aspects of the creator economy. "'Creator' has become one of the most important words in media and one of the least defined," says Ryan Schram, executive director of the CCE. "This research gives the industry a definition grounded in what audiences, creators and the professionals who work with them told us.
Their answer is clear: being a creator is about craft and commitment." In its inaugural long-form research study, the CCE defined a creator as "an independent studio: a 360 enterprise that collapses whole industries into one person ... sharing knowledge with the audiences they build and carrying the expectations once placed on celebrities and institutions. They are defined by a love of the craft, a sustained commitment to it over time and an authenticity that earns trust and keeps audiences coming back ... ." During the "Signature Research Unveil" panel at Creator Con, Carrie Welch, the CCE's launch director, shared one of the research's more surprising takeaways about how creators and influencers relate. "There are creators who also influence, but there was a growing trend in our research that while creators can be influencers, influencers cannot be creators," says Welch.
"There's an art and a craft attached to the creator that is not present for the people we spoke with for the influencer. The influencer was read as transactional: someone you employ for a marketing tactic. The creator is an artist: someone you want to formulate a long-term relationship with as a student of the craft." Matty Weisholtz '27, a content creator and president of 'Cuse Creative Studios, has turned what started as a hobby into a growing personal brand.
She was among the 40 creators and industry professionals who provided insights that helped the CCE define a creator. Since landing her first brand collaboration with Valentino, Weisholtz has pitched and partnered with brands on her own, creating between five and 10 brand partnership videos each week. "Authenticity is everything.
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